The Taupō World Cup show held at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre saw four days of jam packed competition with some thrilling jump offs and many deserving placegetters taking home some well-earned series points.
Julie Davey and LT Holst Freda take the win for the ClipMyHorse.TV FEI Jumping World Cup TM Qualifier CSI1* W 1.50 -1.60m. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography.
Julie Davey couldn’t have asked for a better weekend after she rode off with the win in the Riders Choice 1.40-1.50m, sponsored by Peninsula Motel Whitianga, and the ClipMyHorse.TV FEI World Cup Qualifier on LT Host Freda. Read more on her World Cup win here: https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2025/11/fabulous-freda-fires-in-taupo/
Daniella Jelliman and Korokipo Kid win the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix Series. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
Daniella Jelliman has placed in pretty much every AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix she has started in so far this season, and this weekend, she made it win number eight as she rode Korokipo Kid to victory with the only double clear. Lottie Bull, who has also had a fabulous start to her season, placed second on TCG Centadel after picking up eight faults in the jump off.
Tara Gower and Riverhills Legend. Winners of the FMG Young Rider Series 1.30m – 1.40m. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
Three combinations battled it out in the FMG Young Rider jump off, and in a very tight competition, it was Tara Gower who came out on top. Riding Riverhills Legend, she flew through the finish flags in 35.38, with Sophia Blackbourn coming very closely behind on LT Holst Zalato Blue in 35.55.
Glen Beal and Soprano win The Brave Pants Company Pro Amateur Rider Series 1.25m – 1.35m. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
Glen Beal jumped around The Brave Pants Company Pro Am on Soprano for the only double clear, as did Sarah West on Schecter (Hector van d’Abdijhoeve x Sofee/Powerfee), bred by Vicki Prendergast) in the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series.
Sarah West and Schecter win the NZPH 7 Year Old Breeding series 1.30m. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider attracted a huge number of starters, and with twelve combinations going forward into the jump off, it certainly was fast and furious. Eight went on to jump a second clear round, and the times couldn’t have been tighter. Kirsten Worker zoomed around the shortened course on Lilah in 40.21 to take the win, coming in hot on her heals was Paxton Kirkbride riding Thornfield Rockafella in 40.36 followed by Simone McConnell aboard Chicago LS in 41.01.
Kirsten Worker and Lilah win the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series 1.10m – 1.20m. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider also saw a large number contest the jump off, with nine going through to battle it out for the maximum series points. Four combinations produced a double clear, and once again, the times were very tight at the top and it was Matisse Masterson in the saddle of Jay-Z GNZ that was the fastest of them all. They stopped the clock in 39.17, with second placed Tessa Bradstock riding Ceremony finishing their round in 40.45. Third place went to Hannah Ashwell riding Starlight Deanna in 42.17.
Matisse Masterson and Jay-Z GNZ win the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series 1.20m – 1.30m. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
The top three in the Main-Events Tertiary Series all jumped double clear, Karena Murray finished at the top of the leaderboard with Rebel Alliance, second went to Cole Sherborne riding Zephyr CSNZ and third to Aimee Collinson on Casstella Xtreme.
Karena Murray and Rebel Alliance win the Main-Events Tertiary Challenge Series. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
Candice Fox and MacLaren GHP. =1st in the East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old Breeding Series. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography.
Three combinations shared the prize pool in the East Coast Performance Horses Five Year Old Breeding Series. Vicki Prendergast on her homebred gelding, Salvador C (Carrera VDL x Sofee/Powerfee). Helen McNaught on her homebred mare, Whoopy Doo (Double Whoopy x Semper Fidelis) and Candice Fox on the Olivia Hamood bred MacLaren GHP (Mylord Carthago x Yirrkala Ebony/ Escudo I).
Vicki Prendergast and Salvador C. =1st in the East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old Breeding Series. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography.
Helen McNaught and Whoopy Doo. =1st in the East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old Breeding Series. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
The New Zealand Warmblood Association Six Year Old Breeding Series saw two combinations jump a double clear to finish in equal first place. Carissa McCall riding Churro Ego Z (Carthago Z x Popsicle Ego Z/Parco, bred by Ego Summersea), and Kylee McCambridge riding Waitangi Imagine (Hector van d’Adijhoeve x Waitangi iCloud/ Cardento, bred by Joss Bayly).
Carissa McCall and Churro Ego Z. =1st in the NZ Warmblood Assn 6 Year Old Breeding Series. . Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography.
Kylee McCambridge and Waitangi Imagine. =1st in the NZ Warmblood Assn 6 Year Old Breeding Series. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
The 1.45m McCall Inkster Futures Classic, where riders get the chance to jump the World Cup course at a slightly smaller height, is proving to be a great success. In this instance, it was Laura Inkster riding Salut MVNZ who came away with the win. It wouldn’t be the Taupō show without the LT Holst Great Lake, always a popular and fiercely competitive class, and this year did not disappoint with forty four stepping up to the challenge. After the qualifier, this was whittled down to twenty two and it was Emma Gaze who rode off with the winner’s rug thrown over the back of Mountain Bug, after their clear jumping effort, just accumulating one time fault.
Emma Gaze and Mountain Bug, winners of the LT Holst $3K Great Lake Final. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
The Taupo and NEC committees were thrilled with how their show came together after months of hard work and precision planning. Here’s what they had to say:
“The Taupō World Cup Show has been hailed as an outstanding success, showcasing world-class competition, community spirit, and the strength of New Zealand’s equestrian community.
International course designer Mark Atkins (Australia) built the courses in the indoor arena, producing challenging and exciting jumping that thrilled riders and spectators alike. In the outdoor arena, Edward Bullock delivered equally impressive courses, ensuring top-quality competition across the entire show.
The event also marked the launch of the “Fly the Fern” campaign, which was warmly received by attendees. In addition, a highly successful riders’ meeting was hosted on Friday night, further strengthening engagement and collaboration within the equestrian community.
The atmosphere throughout the show was vibrant and welcoming, with riders, officials, volunteers, and supporters all contributing to the event’s success. NEC Taupō extends a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated team and volunteers who worked tirelessly in the arenas, ensuring smooth operations from start to finish.
Sponsors also played a vital role in making the event possible, and NEC Taupō acknowledges their generous support in helping elevate the show to new heights.”
For full results go to:
1 December 2025
The Jumping Team